Hide and Seek Read Free Page A

sure what she was asking. The words had somehow seemed to slip out.
    William leaned forward, wrapping one arm around her shoulder and drawing her into his warmth.
    “I think we have what is generally called an electric reaction. We’re inordinately attracted to one another, and we are generating a heap of lust and emotions. What’s your name?”
    The privacy, the safety and sanctuary she felt in this man’s embrace, a feeling she had not felt at all in any form since that fateful night, enveloped her. She felt lightheaded and dizzy, wondered for a moment if she was about to pass out.
    The warmth emanating from this man, the potent feeling that he would keep her safe and shield her from all her troubles was more intoxicating than anything else.
    “Jose—”she caught herself just in time, “Joey, Joey Lane .” She stammered, shocked to the core she was about to tell him her real name. What was happening to her?
    William looked down at her for a moment, his deep, deep blue eyes considering.
    “Well, Joey,” he finally said huskily, his voice deepening with his emotions, “will you come home with me tonight?”
    Josephine couldn’t believe the desperation with which her body and mind craved to say yes. She was tired, cold, and hungry. She was sick of running, sick of hiding. She hated the life she seemed to have carved out for herself, yet she couldn’t see a safe way out of it. Her logical mind argued this was not the time to start an affair.
    Yet how could she turn down one night of romping, make-your-panties-wet-screaming sex with this man?
    Biting her lip softly, she decided to bargain.
    “One night?” she offered tentatively. William’s eyebrow rose in shock. Josephine frowned. Surely this man had offers all the time? With his looks, and the deadly sexiness of his brothers she felt sure he must have women throwing themselves at him constantly. Surely some of the women only wanted one-night stands? Before she could really think about it, she learned another important part of William’s character. The man knew how to bargain.
    “One night with me getting the option to convince you into a second.”
    Josephine weighed the pros and cons. She was scared and running. It was highly unlikely anything William could say or do would convince her into a second night.
    Looking once more into his face, feeling the warmth of his caring and body heat cover her, she made a snap decision—very unlike her—and nodded.
    “One night,” she warned.
    William leaned forwards and kissed her. Josephine felt her whole body heat up and explode. Her body temperature went through the roof. His lips, though so very, very soft, pressed against hers, transferred his heat directly into her. His tongue slipped out and laved her lips, begging for entrance.
    With a groan she complied, opening her mouth for his possession. Josephine blinked, realized he had drawn her into his embrace and was shielding her from the patrons, from prying eyes. Melting in his arms, against his so-warm chest, Josephine groaned and deepened the kiss, flicking her tongue out to taste him. She simply couldn’t resist.
    All too soon, she felt William pulling away. Reluctantly, slowly, with nipping little kisses being strewn over her lips and cheeks.
    “I’m sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to do all that here. You’re like a drug in my system.”
    Josephine smiled, “A drug, huh? That’s not very romantic for a man with only one night.”
    William seemed to signal the drummer who throughout the whole break had stayed by the edge of the stage, watching the band gear and…was she really this paranoid? Watching out for his band-mates? The other two brothers seemed to have disappeared out back with some of the waitresses.
    “My elder brother, Artemais,” he said simply, nodding his head towards the man and gave a few quick, easy-to-miss-if you-weren’t-watching hand gestures.
    With that, he took her coat from the back of the stool and held it out for